Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-01
THE COMMERCE. COMMISSION,
A Flood of Applications for Office.
THE COMMISSION CANNOT DO ANYTHING EXCEPT Oh
GANIzE UNTIL THE SIXTY DAYS ARE oUT.

i. GANIzE UNTIL THE SIXTY DAYS ARE OUT.
After taking the oath of Office yesterday after
noon the Interstate Commissioners transacted no
business beyond the election of Judge Cooley as
chairman. There was no discussion whatever as
O the choce OF chairman. Mr.. Morrison nomi-
nated Judge Cooley, and he received the votes OF
his four colleagues
Ine election OF Judge Cooley was predetermined,
and 1t was understood to be in accord with an ex-
pressed wish Of the President.
STAR reporter was informed to-day by a gov
ernment official that after the President had
selected the five Commissioners he suggested to
Messrs. Morr1son and Bragg that in his opinion
Judge Cooley was specially qualified to preside
over the deliberations Of the board. "He per-
maps, contlnued THE STARS informant, "Said as
much to Mr.. Schoonmaker and Mr. Walker. The
PRESIDENT wanted Judge Cooley at the head OF the
eSced."
LARGR NAIL FOR THR COMMISSIONERS
Judge Cooley was the first member Of the Com
mlssloners to put in an appearance at their tenn
porary ol1ces In the HOOe building this morning.
ne arrived before ten O'Clock, and soon afterwards
MesSrs. Bragg, SchOOnmaker and Walker ap-
dressed TO the commission and to its individual
menDers nad been sent up from the Interior De-
partment. This mail had been accommodating at
the department for some days and the quantity
somewhat staggered the Commissioners. They be-
gan an examination of the contents OF the enve-
IS,
the larger proportion of the mail consisted of ap-
piications for office under the board. These appi-
callohs came from every section and every State.
After opening numerous envelopes and finding
that nearly all OF the enclosures were requests for
appointments, one of the Commissioners suggested,
1atetlOusy, that it might be good plan TO procure
large nan and Invite the numerous applicants
lor onlclai places under the board TO appear in
person and brefly" state their individually.
He was disposed to think that might be easier
than the reading OF the applications
THE QUESTION PERM ANENT QUARTERS
The acting chief clerk OF the Interior Depart
ment gave the Commission another subject to
think OF In the shape Of several written proposals
to lease quarters for the permanent occupancy Of
the Commission. These proposals were submitted
10 Secretary Lamar and by his order they were
transferred to the Commission the Secretary pre-
lerrlng that the board should use its discretion In
the selection OF its permanent Official home.
1t is not intended that the present quarters
shall be occupied any longer than can be avoided,
as the rooms are inaccessible and are not cOmmO-
d1ouS enough.
THE LAST SECTION OF THE ACT.
There was no attempt at any formal business by
the commission this morning. Mr.. Morrison had
some outside matters to attend to and he was the
last to arrive. His attention was called to the last
section OF the interstate commerce act, and he
the board. 1t reads as follows:
That the provisions OF sections IL and 18 OF
thls act, relating to the appointment and organi-
Zation OF the commission herein provided for Shall
take effect Immediately, and the remaining pro-
visions OF this act shall take effect sixty days
after its passage"
NOTHING CAN BE DONE AT PRESENT But ORGANIZE.
"We don't undertake to do anything else than
organize now," said Mr.. Morrison. "Of course we
might consider any proposition, but we cannot
perform the functions laid down in the other
sections other than sections III and 1S until after
the expiration Of the sixty days" The board may
complete Its organization by the 9Th instant,
when the stxty-day limitation VIII have expired,
but there seems to be some doubt even as TO that.
There are twenty or twenty-five applicants for
the once or secretary, and it Is understood that
great care Will be used In the selection OF this
oncer.
A DROP OF INK.
In signing his name to the oath OF Office yeSter-
terday, Mr.. Morrison let drop Of ink fall from his
pen. 1t fell about midway OF the signature, and
gentlemen present laughingly remarked, "Wm.
K Morrison, his mark"
Mr.. Morrison asked for another oath, saying he
would go through the prescribed formula again,
but he was cOnsOled by Secretary Lamar saying:
"If there Is blot On the oath, there is upon
the character OF the man"
The commissioners are economically inclined,
and instead Of riding around the city in carriages
they walk or use the street cars. Yesterday they
went from the Interior Department to the White
House In the street cars and this morning they
were walking about the city.
AT the request OF the commissioners for tenn
p0rary clerical assistance the Secretary OF the In
terror to-day detailed Major S. A. Jonas for that
duty.